Battleford Town Hall (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Battleford adopts new water and sewer bylaw with monthly billing, gradual rate hikes

Oct 21, 2025 | 11:00 AM

Battleford residents will begin receiving monthly utility bills in 2026 under a new bylaw that replaces flat-rate charges with a pay-for-use system and gradual rate increases through 2028.

Council on Oct. 20 approved the overhaul of the town’s Water and Sewer Rates Bylaw, moving from quarterly billing to monthly metered charges starting Feb. 1, 2026.

The new structure, which must still be approved by the Saskatchewan Municipal Board, is meant to improve fairness, cash flow and long-term cost recovery.

Under the current system, households are billed as if they use 30 cubic metres of water every quarter, regardless of consumption. That minimum charge will be eliminated, meaning customers will now pay only for the water they actually use.

Water rates will start at $2.80 per cubic metre for the first 150 cubic metres in 2026 and $1.80 for anything above that. Rates will rise by 10 cents per year until 2028. Sewer rates will climb from $1.70 per cubic metre in 2026 to $1.90 by 2028.

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Infrastructure fees, which support maintenance and capital work, will also shift to monthly charges based on meter size — $20 for small meters (under 1”), $25 for medium (1” to 1.5”), and $32 for large ones (2” and larger).

Bulk water rates will rise annually from $22.75 per 4.55 cubic metres in 2026 to $27.30 by 2028.

Mayor Ames Leslie said the new billing model will bring fairness and relief for low-use customers, particularly seniors and people living alone.

“It’s a tough one, because nobody wants to increase anything,” Leslie said. “This change today, the Town of Battleford got rid of the minimum water charge to our residents.”

He explained that previously, single residents paid as if they consumed $225 worth of water per quarter, even if they used far less.

“With this change, those people who are single families, or if you live in your apartment or your home by yourself, you may only use 10 cubic meters per month. Your bill could be as little as $40,” he said.

Leslie added that the adjustment makes high water users pay their share.

“Someone like myself who likes a lush lawn uses a significant amount of water,” he said.

“Under the old structure I was subsidized by the people who didn’t use their minimum water and didn’t pay for as much of the water I was using.”

“So since I’ve become mayor, this is something I’ve been asking for, is the people who are using an excessive amount of water should pay more than their portion,” he said.

The mayor noted the rate increases are modest — about 10 cents per cubic metre each year. For an average household using 20 cubic metres a month, that’s roughly $2 more per month by 2028.

The administrative report by Chief Financial Officer Tetiana Polishchuk said the shift to monthly billing will “improve cash flow, enhance affordability for residents, and provide a more consistent revenue stream.”

It also said the new structure “aligns the Town’s Utility Rates with its long-term financial plan and infrastructure funding requirements” and supports fairness, conservation and sustainable infrastructure.

The bylaw also introduces updated service policies:

• Tenant deposits are lowered to $150, transferable within town.
• Late payments will incur a 5 per cent service charge, and water may be disconnected 20 days after the due date if unpaid.
• A $150 reconnection fee applies during business hours, or $250 after hours.
• One free disconnection or reconnection will still be allowed per year.

A communications plan and staff training are expected before implementation in early 2026.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com